Portobellos are full of vitamins, nutrients, and can be prepared many many different ways. Besides eating them raw, grilling them is one of the top ways I cook portobellos. Mushrooms are like sponges and absorb anything you put on them. Because of this, you won't need a lot of added oil, or seasonings. A little bit will go a long way here. This quality also makes them very versatile in different dishes--they easily take on the flavors of other things.
Tips When Buying:
- Portobello's can grow up to 6 inches in diameter, so buy the size appropriate to your needs
- Make sure all of the gills are present on the underside of the mushroom
- Should be free of soft spots
- Even if mushrooms are a fungi they should be mold free before use
Other Ways to Cook Portobello's:
- Grill them lightly brushed with Italian dressing, vinaigrette, or even bbq sauce for about 5 mins
- Brush with sauce then roast on a baking sheet for about 20 mins
- Saute strips in olive oil on medium-high heat until tender
- Stuff them with cheese, veggies, stuffing, or sausage before baking
- Substitute a typical burger for a meaty portobello
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- 1 Grill
- 1 Baking sheet
- 4 large portobello mushroom caps (about 5 inches in diameter)
- 1 small can of diced tomatoes
- Italian cheese blend
- Olive oil
- Pepper and seasonings of your choosing
The mushrooms were seasoned lightly with pepper, an Italian spice blend, and then drizzled with olive oil. They were allowed to grill undisturbed for about 5 minutes.
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| Using a spoon I removed the stems, then scraped all of the gills out of the mushroom and discarded. If making a tomato sauce you could use the gills and stems in it for flavoring. |
Once removed for the grill the mushrooms were placed on a baking sheet. I topped each one with a generous amount of diced tomatoes, and an Italian cheese blend.
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| The tray was placed in a pre-heated 350 degree oven. I let them bake until the cheese was completely melted. Once melted I turned on the broiler until the cheese was toasted on top. |
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One thing mushrooms have going for themselves that vegetables don't is their antioxidant and nutritional value isn't destroyed while cooking. Portobello's actually become more firm then longer you cook them.
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Nutrition Facts:
- Portobello's are a low calorie meat alternate -- contain about 30 calories per serving vs. 235 calories that can be found in a traditional burger
- Contains Iron & Lead -- help aid in blood production
- Contains Riboflavin -- helps cell energy and production
- Contains Zinc -- helps immune function and wound healing
- Contains Pantothenic acid -- helps adrenal gland function
- Contains Vitamin B6 -- low? Eat portobellos; they're water soluble, so any excess will pass through your body
- Contains Selenium -- helps your body make its own antioxidants
Grilled Portobello's can be served over pasta tossed in olive oil and Parm cheese.
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| Here ya have it folks!! Grilled stuffed portobello mushroom! |
More Ideas:
- Grill mushrooms, slice, then toss with your favorite salad
- Toss with alfredo sauce and pasta
- Add cooked mushrooms to your favorite marinara sauce
- Top with pre-cooked ground turkey or hamburger, cheese, olives, before baking for a mushroom based pizza
- Marinate for about an hour in your favorite vinaigrette before roasting or grilling
- Slice and add to your favorite lasagna or spaghetti recipe
- Slice, bread and fry for portobello fries
- Grill, then top with lettuce, tomato, pickle, etc for a great burger alternative
- Top with spinach and mozzarella cheese before baking
Portobellos are great for people looking for a change from the typical burger, vegans, vegetarians, meat lovers, food explores, and more! It's a very flexible food item and the possibilities are endless!!! You can make the mushroom your main dish, an additive, or even just a side dish. Experiment and see what you can come up with!
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